Shipping and storage container for laptop computers

ABSTRACT

Shipping and storage container for laptop computers which generally includes a one (1) piece exterior portion, preferably fabricated from corrugated cardboard, an inner protective base insert and an inner protective cover insert, both of the protective inserts preferably being fabricated from a material which provides cushioning and protection, most preferably a protective foam type material. The one (1) piece outer container is preferably fabricated from a die cut blank of corrugated cardboard and includes a cover Aflap≅ portion which has a horizontally extending score line located in an intermediate portion of the cover “flap” to allow the cover Aflap≅ to be folded over against itself and retained between the inner protective base insert and the interior back surface of the exterior portion to retain the cover “flap” portion out of the way and allow the shipping and storage container for laptop computers to be used as a base to support the laptop computer positioned therein during test, maintenance and repair procedures.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a new and novelshipping and storage container for laptop computers. More particularly,the present invention relates to a new and novel shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers which can be used for holding andprotecting laptop computers placed therein during shipment and storageand which may be used as a base to support the laptop computers whilethey are being tested, maintained and/or repaired.

[0002] Laptop computers are becoming increasingly popular. While laptopcomputer are relatively durable, they do contain sensitive components,and protection should generally be provided during shipping, storage andhandling. Unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to send laptopcomputers to manufacturers or other test, maintenance and repairfacilities to have the laptop computers tested, maintained and/orrepaired. In the past, shipping and storage containers for laptopcomputers have generally included a box, most usually fabricated fromcorrugated, having some type of padding or filler which may, or may not,conform to the configuration of the laptop computer placed therein. Suchprior art shipping and storage containers for laptop computers aregenerally of two (2) types. The first type of shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers includes a separate cover which isremoved and set aside when the container is opened, and thus theexterior portion consists of at least two (2) separate pieces. Thesecond type of shipping and storage container for laptop computersincludes an exterior portion which is fabricated from a single integralpiece and includes one or more cover Aflaps≅ which fold over the top ofthe container to form the cover. However, such cover Aflaps≅ tend to getin the way and impede the testing, maintenance and/or repair of thelaptop computer when the container is opened. Therefore, when usingshipping and storage containers for laptop computers having such coverAflaps≅ the typical practice is to remove the laptop computer from thecontainer and place it onto a bench or some other work surface to carryout the test, maintenance and/or repair procedures.

[0003] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is the provisionof a shipping and storage container for laptop computers which is of one(1) piece construction, but which allows the laptop computer positionedtherein to be tested, maintained and/or repaired without interferencefrom the cover Aflaps≅ which form the cover of the container.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is the provision of ashipping and storage container for laptop computers which cushions andprotects the laptop computer positioned therein from damage duringshipment and storage and which can also be used as a base to support thelaptop computer during testing, maintenance and/or repair procedures.

[0005] These and other objects of the present invention are attained bythe provision of a shipping and storage container for laptop computerswhich generally includes a one (1) piece exterior portion, preferablyfabricated from corrugated cardboard, an inner protective base insertand an inner protective cover insert, both of the protective insertspreferably being fabricated from a material which provides cushioningand protection and also dissipates static charges, most preferably afoam type material. The one (1) piece exterior portion is preferablyfabricated from a die cut blank of corrugated cardboard and includes acover Aflap≅ which has a horizontally extending score line located in anintermediate portion of the cover Aflap≅ to allow the cover Aflap≅ to befolded over against itself and retained between the inner protectivebase insert and the interior back surface of the exterior portion toretain the cover Aflap≅ out of the way and allow the shipping andstorage container for laptop computers to be used as a base to supportthe laptop computer positioned therein during test, maintenance and/orrepair procedures.

[0006] Other advantages and novel features of the present invention willbecome apparent in the following detailed description of the inventionwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a shipping andstorage container for laptop computers in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a corrugated cardboard die cutblank which is used to form the external portion of the shipping andstorage container for laptop computers in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an inner protective base insertwhich is placed inside the external portion of the shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the innerprotective base insert which is placed inside the external portion ofthe shipping and storage container for laptop computers in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1taken across line 4-4.

[0011]FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an inner protective cover insertwhich is placed inside the external portion of the shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers on top of the inner protective baseinsert and the laptop computer positioned therein in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the shipping andstorage container for laptop computers in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 with the coverAflap≅ portion being folded over upon itself and secured between theexternal portion of the shipping and storage container for laptopcomputers and the inner protective base insert such that the shipping orstorage container for laptop computers can be used as a base to providesupport for the laptop computer positioned therein while it is beingtested, maintained and/or repaired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawingswhich, in conjunction with this detailed description, illustrate anddescribe a preferred embodiment of a laptop computer shipping andstorage container in accordance with the present invention. Referringfirst to FIGS. 1, which illustrates a top perspective view of a shippingand storage container for laptop computers, generally identified byreference number 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, shipping and storage container for laptop computers10 generally includes external portion 12, inner protective base insert14 and inner protective cover insert 16. Shipping and storage containerfor laptop computers 10 may also include a number of removable innerprotective spacers, three (3) of which are shown in FIG. 1, identifiedby reference numbers 18, 20 and 22, to accommodate and protect laptopcomputers of different sizes positioned within shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers 10.

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 2, which illustrates a top view ofcorrugated cardboard die cut blank 24 which is used to form externalportion 12 of shipping and storage container for laptop computers 10 andincludes base portion 26, which is generally rectangular inconfiguration, most preferably being approximately 17{fraction (7/16)}inches wide and approximately 17{fraction (3/16)} inches deep. Frontflap portion 28 extends forwardly from base portion 26 and score line 30is located between base portion 26 and front flap portion 28. Front flapportion 28 is preferably approximately the same width as base portion 26and is approximately 5{fraction (7/16)} inches high. Left forward flapportion 34 extends from the left side of front flap portion 28 and rightforward flap portion 34 extends from the right side of front flapportion 28. Score lines 36 and 38 are located between front flap portion28 and left forward flap portion 32 and right forward flap portion 34,respectively, and both left forward flap portion 32 and right forwardflap portion 34 are approximately the same width as front flap portion28 and extend outwardly from score lines 36 and 38, respectively,approximately 7 inches.

[0015] Left side portion 40 extends outwardly from the left side of baseportion 26 and preferably includes interior rectangular portion 42 andexterior rectangular portion 44 separated by score lines 46 and 48,which are preferably positioned approximately ½ inch apart and areapproximately equidistant from score line 50 between base portion 26 andinterior rectangular portion 42 and distal edge 52 of exteriorrectangular portion 44. First outwardly extending projection 54 andsecond outwardly extending projection 56 extend outwardly from distaledge 52 of interior rectangular portion 42 by approximately ¼ inch andare approximately 2 inches wide. First outwardly extending projection 54and second outwardly extending projection 56 correspond to firstelongated opening 58 and second elongated opening 60, respectively,located in base portion 26 positioned to the inside of, but adjacent to,score line 50. First elongated opening 58 and second elongated opening60 are approximately 2¼ inches long and approximately {fraction (9/16)}of an inch wide to accommodate first outwardly extending projection 54and second outwardly extending projection 56 therein when externalportion 12 is assembled. Exterior rectangular portion 44 of left sideportion 40 is preferably separated from left forward flap portion 32 bydie cut 62 extending through the thickness of corrugated cardboard diecut blank 24.

[0016] Right side portion 64 is similar to left side portion 40 inconfiguration and extends outwardly from the right side of base portion26 and preferably includes interior rectangular portion 66 and exteriorrectangular portion 68 separated by score lines 70 and 72, which arepreferably positioned approximately ½ of an inch apart and areapproximately equidistant from score line 74 between base portion 26 andinterior rectangular portion 66 and distal edge 76 of exteriorrectangular portion 68. First outwardly extending projection 78 andsecond outwardly extending projection 80 extend outwardly from distaledge 76 of interior rectangular portion 66 by approximately ¼ of an inchand are approximately 2 inches wide. First outwardly extendingprojection 78 and second outwardly extending projection 80 correspond tofirst elongated opening 82 and second elongated opening 84 located inbase portion 26 positioned to the inside of, but adjacent to, score line74. First elongated opening 82 and second elongated opening 84 areapproximately 2¼ inches long and approximately {fraction (9/16)} of aninch wide to accommodate first outwardly extending projection 78 andsecond outwardly extending projection 80 therein when external portion12 is assembled. Exterior rectangular portion 68 of right side portion64 is preferably separated from right forward flap portion 34 by die cut86 extending through the thickness of corrugated cardboard die cut blank24.

[0017] Rear flap portion 88 extends rearwardly from base portion 26 andscore line 90 is located between base portion 26 and rear flap portion88. Rear flap portion 88 is preferably approximately the same width asbase portion 26 and is approximately 5{fraction (7/16)} inches high.Left rear flap portion 92 extends from the left side of rear flapportion 88 and right rear flap portion 94 extends from the right side ofrear flap portion 88. Score lines 96 and 98 are located between rearflap portion 88 and left rear flap portion 92 and right rear flapportion 94, respectively, and both left rear flap portion 92 and rightrear flap portion 94 are approximately the same width as rear flapportion 88 and extend outwardly from score lines 96 and 98,respectively, approximately 7 inches. Left rear flap portion 92 ispreferably separated from exterior rectangular portion 44 of left sideportion 40 by die cut 100 extending through the thickness of corrugatedcardboard die cut blank 24. Similarly, right rear flap portion 94 ispreferably separated from exterior rectangular portion 68 of right sideportion 64 by die cut 102 extending through the thickness of corrugatedcardboard die cut blank 24.

[0018] Cover portion 104 extends rearwardly from rear flap portion 88and score line 106 is located between cover portion 104 and rear flapportion 88. Cover portion 104 is substantially rectangular inconfiguration and is, most preferably, approximately 17{fraction (3/16)}inches wide and approximately 17⅜ inches deep. Left side cover flapportion 108 extends from the left side of cover portion 104 and scoreline 110 is located between cover portion 104 and left side cover flapportion 108. Similarly, right side cover flap portion 112 extends fromthe right side of cover portion 104 and score line 114 is locatedbetween cover portion 104 and right side cover flap portion 112. Theouter edges of both left side cover flap portion 108 and right sidecover flap portion 112 are preferably tapered inwardly from score line110 and 114, respectively, to facilitate insertion of left side coverflap portion 108 and right side cover flap portion 112 when exteriorportion 12 is assembled. In addition, score line 116 extendshorizontally across a central portion of cover portion 104, as well asacross a central portion of left side cover flap portion 108 and rightside cover flap portion 112. Score line 116 permits cover portion 104,as well as left side cover flap portion 108 and right side cover flapportion 112 to be folded against itself and positioned between innerprotective base insert 14 and the interior of external portion 12, whenassembled. This allows cover portion 104, as well as left side coverflap portion 108 and right side cover flap portion 112, to be retainedout of the way and allows shipping and storage container for laptopcomputers 10 to be used as a base to support the laptop computerpositioned therein during test, maintenance and repair procedures.

[0019] Front cover flap portion 118 extends rearwardly from coverportion 104 and score line 120 is located between cover portion 104 andfront cover flap portion 118. Front cover flap portion 118 is preferablyapproximately the same width as cover portion 104 and is approximately5{fraction (7/16)} inches high. Left front cover flap portion 122extends from the left side of front cover flap portion 118 and rightfront cover flap portion 124 extends from the right side of front coverflap portion 118. Score lines 126 and 128 are located between frontcover flap portion 118 and left front cover flap portion 122 and scorelines 126 and 128 are positioned approximately {fraction (15/32)} of aninch apart. Similarly, score lines 130 and 132 are located between frontcover flap portion 118 and right front cover flap portion 124 and scorelines 130 and 132 are positioned approximately {fraction (15/32)} of aninch apart. At least one of the outer edges of both left front coverflap portion 122 and right front cover flap portion 124 are preferablytapered inwardly from score lines 126 and 130, respectively, mostpreferably, the forward edge, to facilitate insertion of left frontcover flap portion 122 and right front cover flap portion 124 whenexterior portion 12 is assembled.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, which illustrate a top view and across-sectional side view, respectively, of inner protective base insert14 which is dimensioned to be placed inside external portion 12 whenassembled. Inner protective base insert 14 is substantially rectangularin configuration and is preferably fabricated from a cushioningprotective material which is further capable of dissipating staticcharge, such as a foam type material. Inner protective base insert 14includes a substantially rectangular cut-out 134 which is preferablyapproximately centrally positioned in inner protective base insert 14.Substantially rectangular cut-out 134 accommodates and providesprotection for a laptop computer positioned therein. Substantiallyrectangular cut-out 134 is preferably cut through the entire width ofinner protective base insert 14. However, substantially rectangularcut-out 134 could also be cut partially through the thickness of innerprotective base insert 14, if desired. One or more rectangularprotective pieces, two (2) of which are shown in FIG. 4, identified byreference numbers 136 and 138, are preferably inserted intosubstantially rectangular cut-out 134 to provide protection for thebottom surface of the laptop computer positioned therein. Additionalcut-outs, two (2) of which are shown in FIG. 3, identified by referencenumbers 140 and 142, may be provided, as desired, to hold and protectitems such as connectors, adapters and peripheral devices used inconjunction with the laptop computer positioned therein. Additionalrectangular protective pieces, two (2) of which are shown in FIG. 4,identified by reference numbers 144 and 146, are provided for additionalcut-outs 140 and 142. Rectangular protective pieces 136, 138, 144 and146 are preferably fabricated from a cushioning and protective material,which also dissipates static electricity, such as a foam type material.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 5, which illustrates a top view of innerprotective cover insert 16 which is placed inside external portion 12 ontop of inner protective base insert 14 and the laptop computerpositioned therein. If desired, inner protective cover insert 16 caninclude one or more cut-outs, one of which is shown in FIG. 5,identified by reference number 148, which can be removed, if desired, toprovide clearance for the laptop computer positioned within shipping andstorage container for laptop computers.

[0022] To assemble shipping and storage container for laptop computers10, corrugated cardboard die cut blank 24 is first assembled intoexternal portion 12 by folding front flap portion 28 upwardly alongscore line 30, folding left forward flap portion 32 upwardly along scoreline 36 and folding right forward flap portion 34 upwardly along scoreline 38 such that front flap portion 28 is positioned upwardly with leftforward flap portion 32 located along score line 50 and right forwardflap portion 34 located along score line 74. Rear flap portion 88 isthen folded upwardly along score line 90, left rear flap portion 92 isfolded upwardly along score line 96 and right rear flap portion 94 isfolded upwardly along score line 98 such that rear flap portion 88 ispositioned upwardly with left rear flap portion 92 located along scoreline 50 and right rear flap portion 94 located along score line 74. Leftside portion 40 is then folded inwardly along score lines 46, 48 and 50so interior rectangular portion 42 is positioned inwardly of exteriorrectangular portion 44 over left forward flap portion 32 and left rearflap portion 92 and first and second outwardly extending projections 54and 56 are inserted into first and second elongated openings 58 and 60,respectively.

[0023] Right side portion 64 is then folded inwardly along score lines70, 72 and 74 so interior rectangular portion 66 is positioned inwardlyof exterior rectangular portion 68 over right forward flap portion 34and right rear flap portion 94 and first and second outwardly extendingprojections 78 and 80 are inserted into first and second elongatedopenings 82 and 84, respectively.

[0024] Inner protective base insert 14 is then positioned on baseportion 26 and one or more rectangular protective pieces 136 and 138 arepositioned in substantially rectangular cut-out 134. One or moreremovable inner protective spacers 18, 20 and 22 are then positioned, asneeded, within substantially rectangular cut-out 134 and shipping andstorage container for laptop computers 10 is ready for placement of alaptop computer therein. Other components, such as connectors, adaptersand peripheral devices are placed in the remaining cut-outs 140 and 142,if desired, and inner protective cover insert 16 is placed over innerprotective base insert 14.

[0025] Left side cover flap portion 108 is then folded downwardly alongscore line 110 and right side cover flap portion 112 is foldeddownwardly along score line 114. Cover portion 104 is then folded overthe top of inner protective cover insert 16 along score line 106. Frontcover flap portion 118 is then folded downwardly along score line 120and left front cover flap portion 122 is folded along score lines 126and 128 and left front cover flap portion 122 is inserted into theopening between exterior rectangular portion 44 and left forward flapportion 32. Similarly, right front cover flap portion 124 is foldedalong score lines 130 and 132 and right front cover flap portion 124 isinserted into the opening between exterior rectangular portion 68 andright forward flap portion 34. At this time, shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers 10 is ready for shipment and/or storageand, if desired, a mailing label and/or some product identificationinformation could be placed on the exterior surface of cover portion104.

[0026] When received, shipping and storage container for laptopcomputers 10 is opened by removing left front cover flap portion 122from the opening between exterior rectangular portion 44 and leftforward flap portion 32 and removing right front cover flap portion 124from the opening between exterior rectangular portion 68 and rightforward flap portion 34. Cover portion 104 is then opened along scoreline 106 and inner protective cover insert 16 is removed to gain accessto the laptop computer or electronic device positioned therein. Ifdesired, cover portion, left side cover flap portion 108 and right sidecover flap portion 112 can be folded along score line 116 and frontcover flap portion 118, left front cover flap portion 122 and rightfront cover flap portion 124 positioned between the interior of rearflap portion 88 and inner protective base insert 14 to hold coverportion 104 out of the way and allow shipping and storage container forlaptop computers 10 to be used as a base to support the laptop computerpositioned therein during test, maintenance and repair procedures. Inaddition, if desired, shipping and storage container for laptopcomputers 10 could be stacked with cover portion 104 retained out of theway as described above so shipping and storage container for laptopcomputers 10 would be open and ready for placement of a laptop computertherein.

[0027] In certain situations it has been found desirable to form arectangular shaped hole in one or both of the rectangular protectivepieces 136 and 138 as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Thisis now indicated by numeral 136 a in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 showing theapproximate shape and position of these cut-outs. Cut-out in rectangularprotective piece 138 is shown by dotted line 138 a in FIG. 4.Essentially, the cut-outs 136 a and 138 a would be approximately four(4) inches by six (6) inches in size and are preferably approximatelycentrally positioned on respective rectangular protective pieces 136 and138 as indicated by dotted line 136 a in FIG. 3.

[0028] It has been found that a better cushioning of the laptop computerpositioned in substantially rectangular cut-out 134 occurs with thiscut-out because it tends to absorb the weight of the laptop computer ina better suspended relationship upon drop and/or jarring motions much inthe same way that a donut is used to cushion a sore part of the humanbody, for example, the circular cushion used for corns or sore portionsof feet or toes.

[0029] It should be understood that one of the primary utilitarianfunctions of the design shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 for shipping andstorage container for laptop computers 10 is the protection of thelaptop computer from jarring and dropping and any rough handling whichnormally occurs to a container as it sent by mail or truck or airplanein the normal course of its shipping and handling. To this end, thus, itis desirable to maintain the basic ratios of size and thickness of innerprotective base insert 14, inner protective cover insert 16 andrectangular protective pieces 136 and 138 and the basic dimensionalrelationships shown in the drawings. There are certain standard dropspecifications that are important to manufacturers of the laptopcomputers in order to properly protect the laptop computers duringnormal and routine handling in shipping of these products.

[0030] Although the present invention has been described above indetail, the same is by way of illustration and example only and is notto be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Accordingly, thescope and content of the present invention are to be defined only by theterms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shipping and storage container for laptopcomputers, comprising: an exterior portion fabricated from a one piececorrugated cardboard die cut blank so as to form an open top boxconfiguration having four upstanding walls of equal heights such thatthe height is at least twice the height of the laptop computer, anintegral cover portion attached to a top edge of one of said upstandingwalls and including a first score line at the attachment to permit thecover portion to folded over the open top box configuration to close theopening wherein said cover portion includes an intermediate score lineparallel to said first score line to permit said cover portion to befolded against itself; a protective base insert made from a foam typecushioning material having a density of between 1.2 to 2.0 pounds percubic foot in a close tight fitting frictional relationship within thebox configuration wherein such insert has a portion removed to receivethe laptop computer into a tight fitting frictional relationship withinthe insert to cushion the laptop computer on all sides except the top; aprotective top insert made from a foam type cushioning material having adensity of between 1.2 to 2.0 pounds per cubic foot positioned in atight fitting frictional relationship within the box configuration ontop of the laptop computer wherein said cover portion has flapsextending therefrom to frictional engage the box configuration to holdthe cover portion in closed relationship to the box configuration, saidflaps also holding the cover portion in a fixed open position at about a90Ε relation to the closed position by an inserted frictionalrelationship between the box configuration and the base insert.
 2. Ashipping and storage container for laptop computers in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the protective base insert is at least 3⅞ inches thickand provides an indent load deflection between 40 and 70, and theprotective top insert is at least one (1) inch thick and provides anindent load deflection between 40 and
 70. 3. The shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers in accordance with claim 2, wherein saidinner protective base insert has a width of at least three (3) incheslaterally around the removed portion so as to provide at least a three(3) inch cushion of foam type cushioning material around the lateraledges of the laptop computer positioned therein and further wherein thethickness of the protective base insert on the bottom is greater thanthe thickness of the protective top insert.
 4. The shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers in accordance with claim 2, wherein saidthe protective base insert incorporates removable pieces around at leasta portion of the periphery of the portion removed which are at least ½inch in thickness, and removable to allow adjustment of the size of theportion removed so as to accommodate the rectangular peripheralconfiguration of the laptop computer to achieve a tight fittingfrictional relationship within the insert.
 5. The shipping and storagecontainer for laptop computers in accordance with claim 2, wherein theinner protective base insert bottom portion incorporates a rectangularshaped void having a dimension of at least four (4) inches by six (6)inches centrally position in the bottom portion and of at least one-halfthe thickness of the bottom portion of the protective base insert.